MADISONVILLE, Ky. (3/11/14) — After a two-year investigation into the dealings of a Madisonville man, multiple agencies made an arrest in a case that represents as much as $1.3 million in illegal drugs.

According to a Madisonville Police Department report, detectives from MPD, Drug Enforcement Administration officers from Louisville, Madisonville and Evansville, Ind., the United State Postal Service and the Evansville/Vanderburg County Drug Task Force have been conducting an investigation into Eric Melton, 42.

The report states that intelligence gathered during the investigation reveals that Melton and his criminal associates alledgely have distributed drugs successfully through western Kentucky especially Hopkins County.

During a one-year period, it is estimated that Melton was responsible for distributing at least 30 pounds of methamphetamine at an estimated street value of $1.3 million, the report said.

During the investigation, the MPD Vice/Narcotics Unit and other agencies seized approximately 13 pounds of meth from Melton and his associates.

The report stated that if the meth was sold by the typical gram amount, the street value would be $590,200; sold by the pound, the street value would be $353,600.

Those amounts are calculated on pure methamphetamine prices. It is common for methamphetamine to be “cut” with some type of filler or agent so that the quantity is doubled for selling purposes.

The street value of the narcotics prevented from being sold on the street is between $707,200 and $1,180,400, the report stated.

Officers from MPD, DEA, Kentucky State Police, Evansville/VanderburgDrug Task Force and the Internal Revenue Service executed three search warrants Feb. 27 at three residences Melton had been known to either live at or frequent in Hopkins County.

During the search warrant execution, approximately $38,000 in currency, three vehicles including a 2001 Corvette convertible and numerous items consistent with narcotics trafficking were located and seized.

According to MPD, the investigation and arrest were successful due to the teamwork and relationship of the agencies involved.

Melton was identified as a top supplier of meth to the area, and has been taken into custody pending state and federal narcotics trafficking charges, the report said.